HYPERMOBILE SPECTRUM DISORDER (HSD) & HYPERMOBILE EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME (hEDS)

in progress 🎉

HSD and hEDS is a disorder where a joint or multiple joints have excess range of motion that leads to bio-mechanical instability. This instability can bring about joint subluxations, dislocations, sprains, and other injuries. HSD/hEDS often wreaks havoc on a person’s life, and not only creates an increased risk of tissue damage, pain & chronic injury, but exists concurrently with diseases such as Anxiety/Depression, ADHD, Autoimmunity, MCAS, GI Disorders, Dysautonomia etc…

where it all begins …

Fascia is the largest organ in the body, and can be thought of as fish net/saran wrap like material that encases our muscles, nerves, organs and joints. This fluid filled web communicates from head to toe via vibration and electrical signaling, and is intricately woven with our emotional and physiological information.

Fascia shapes and stabilizes the body’s structures, while also allowing movement and lubrication of the tissues the extracellular fluid (fluid outside the cells found in lymph, blood and providing moisture to all kinds of membranes). It helps to flush out toxins and inflammatory chemicals, as well as transport nutrients and chemical signals throughout the body. Furthermore, Fascia provides sensory input via proprioception (awareness of your body’s position in space), interoception (awareness of your internal state, ie - hunger, thirst, heart rate increase) and nociception (perception of pain).

In a healthy system, harmonious tension is balanced across the facial lines; this balance enables an individual to perform movement safely and efficiently. Fascial balance also supports active anti-inflammatory processes and a regulated nervous system.

With HSD/hEDS, the fascial balance is often disrupted - certain areas having to much tensile pull while other areas start to collapse; this imbalance leads to unsafe and ineffective biomechanics. For instance, areas of thickened fascia bands can place abnormal stress on loose joint, creating a propensity for sprains, subluxations and dislocations. Abnormal fascial patterns can also prevent the transport of nutrients and flushing out of toxins, leading to inflammation build up in the body. Finally, fascia imbalance can create nerve entrapments and leads to disregulation of the autonomic nervous system, which causes dysfunction of healthy propriception, interoception and nociception.

how we treat hypermobility at JAM…

in progess 🎉

We treat you!!! NO YOU ARE NOT CRAZY… you are experiencing 17 symptoms at once!

HSD and hEDS usually is concurrent with other disorders such as autoimmune issues, mast cell activation syndrome, GI Disorders, Dysautonomia (disregulation of the nervous system), Anxiety and ADHD. At JAM, we take into account the whole intricate web of dysfunction that comes from HSD/hEDS, and create a customized approach to manage each symptom. This includes referrals to specialists to become a part of your wellness team!

Secondly, we help you to rebalance the fascial lines of tension so you can move with more ease and stability. Often the superficial lines are shortened and tight, while the deep core lines of fascia are weak and disengaged. At JAM, we teach you methods to safely release the superficial tightness while re-engaging the deep core; these two processes must be performed together in just the right way to keep you safe and balanced in your movement journey.

Thirdly, we guide you in the rebalancing of the nervous system. HDS/hEDS individuals tend to have upregulated nervous systems where they often live in a state of “fight or flight,” also known as the sympathetic system. At JAM, through varied techniques incorporating breath awareness, feldenkrais, self myofascial release etc, we help you to access the parasympathetic nervous system, which is where your body and mind can start to heal and reset.

Finally, we will teach you how to proactively manage HSD/hEDS. You will learn to stay ahead of your symptoms by learning strategies to activate your core, enhance your biomechanics & and conserve your energy in activities of daily life. Together we will craft together a customized self care practice that will restore your sanity and rediscover the joy of movement.